D-Day: I finally meet Pema today

[sabrinamari]

So today is the day I get to meet Pema Chodron.

I've been waiting for this day for a long time. Pema is one of my most beloved role models in the world. I respect her deeply and want to cultivate the parts of me that are a like her: compassionate, caring, wise and funny: able to offer real help to others and able to hold on to herself in the presence of her triggers. I see Pema as able to be with people where they are without losing it alot more successfully than I can. But she's had decades of spiritual practice, so that's appropriate.

For me, Pema is the embodiment of a wise Elder. Someday, I will be there, too.

I'm excited, a little nervous---OK, quite nervous---and I can't really believe that this is real---I'm really going to meet her, and learn from her, in person.

Stomach butterflies!

Pema's video explaining the job of a spiritual teacher, with much humor:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7qFi52FX1Q

"Your teacher will become the biggest troublemaker in your life!"

It's hilarious. It's true. Its helpful.

I love Pema. I wish I could show up with flowers to give her. I'm a sad, sad fangirl...

I sort of feel like I'm going to throw up, actually.

Comments

[catpaw67.livejournal.com]

I'm so excited for you! I will be there in spirit.

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

I will miss you so much! I've been thinking of you this morning.

Giving you my tightest hug...

[tigira.livejournal.com]

You'll be great, and enjoy this time to recharge.

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[sligoe.livejournal.com]

Enjoy every second of this special time. Come home refreshed, recharged, and ready to jump into your life.

Hugs.

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

Yes!

[vgnwtch.livejournal.com]

You won't have time to throw up because you'll be too busy absorbing everything in order to give me a full report.

No pressure.

[(Anonymous)]

I have an audiobook for you...yes, you!

Lots and lots of lovely Pema for you, my dear. I so wish you had been with me this weekend!

[warning-dca.livejournal.com]

Thank you for posting this. This is -amazing- in many ways.
I can't really list them all, but it gave me "my" personal task if you will.

You rock Brina.

[(Anonymous)]

Cool! Now I'm curious: what is your personal task?

[warning-dca.livejournal.com]

To not let others provoke me into fits of stupid ;-p

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

laughing happily!!!

[GREAT icon, by the way]

[warning-dca.livejournal.com]

Well it really is true, someone pushes buttons, i rise to the occaision, and then im the big old doofus not using my whole brain just reacting mindlessly.

A day after i read this post I turned on the radio and was scrolling through channels as I usually do, and paused on the christian channel because i heard something about "wrath". Go figure - the entire sermon revolved around escalating emotions... I figured the universe was probably trying to tell me something ;-p

As per Icon:
Thank you, i was very happy with it's outcome.

I <3 Zoe : When I finally get the funds to hire a seamstress or develop amazing sewing skills overnight I WILL have a Zoe Cosplay outfit for conventions :-D

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

Ooops, that was me.

[velvettnrbt.livejournal.com]

that is really cool. at your recommendation, i bought "getting unstuck" on cd, and thoroughly enjoyed it :D

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

I'm so pleased to know this. Thank you for telling me.

glad you got to meet her

[(Anonymous)]

im just perusing info on compassionate abiding and saw that you were at the retreat at omega this weekend
i work there and had the oppurtunity to see all 4 classes and i am just loving it
for me, Pema Chodron is also my most profound teacher.
it was such a blessing and joy to be able to see her in person and to even see her a bit more closely, i would have loved to talk to her and express my gratitude because i think i8n more ways then one she saved my life, but instead i got really nervous and ran off with my tail between my legs
but thats teh beauty of compassionate abiding
you sit with that
you breath it in
you breath it in for yourself and then for everyone else who is scared of who knows what
I was thinking today
thank god its one giant blunder after another
because what would i have to open my heart to if I had it all together.
I'm so glad you also got to see her
much love
from your anonymous supporter

Re: glad you got to meet her

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

I am so happy for you. No need to feel bad about about not actually meeting her: it was very difficult, and I didn't succeed, either.

Every time I approached, she was entering or leaving, and seemed to be focused on working hard to get to us all so she could teach. And a couple of times, up closer, I saw how frail she looked---it seemed as though the traveling was a little bit hard for her, and it looked like her helpers were protecting her from having to interact too much with so many people, protecting her from the drain. And I see how this is important.

I was dissuaded from pushing myself on her by watching her work so hard just to get in and out of the building.

It also made me afraid that she might not be here much longer. The thought that she will die inspired such sadness in me, even though it's a natural unfolding of things.

I left Omega really hungry to hear more, still longing to meet her for just a moment.

But it was good to realize that everyone else felt the same way---thank you for posting, and for helping me to realize this with even more certainty.

I was so grateful for the gentleman who presented her with a flower at the close of the weekend. Please thank him for me. He was able to enact my heart's desire at that moment, and it was so beautiful.

It's also wonderful that you have put it so perfectly for me here:

"thank god its one giant blunder after another because what would i have to open my heart to if I had it all together".

I give you a virtual hug and wish you well, and wish you happiness.

I am also glad that you work at Omega, with so many opportunities like this to grow and help others grow. Thank you for the part you played this weekend in helping me transform. You are welcome here at any time :)